Napoli-Cagliari, a challenge that will… cause a heart attack. The cardiologist: “Those at risk should not watch the match or should shout under their breath”

It will not be a simple football match, but a highly emotional event that could cost dearly to those whose hearts are already under pressure. Tonight's challenge between Napoli and Cagliari, potentially decisive for the title, has been defined “a heart-stopping match” by Professor Giovanni Esposito, cardiologist and director of the School of Medicine and Surgery at the Federico II University of Naples, as well as a declared fan of the Napoli.

“It will be 90 minutes that will put the coronary arteries of all Neapolitans at risk, and not only. There will be fibrillation, as long as it is not ventricular”, he said with a mixture of irony and concern. But behind the jokes lies a real alarm: excessive adrenaline from stress can have devastating effects on those with cardiovascular risk factors.

“Strong emotions, such as anxiety and anger during a tense match, lead to a massive release of adrenaline”, explains Esposito. “In healthy subjects there are no particular dangers, but those with atherosclerotic plaques – in the coronary or carotid arteries – can experience serious complications such as heart attack or stroke”.

The most vulnerable subjects? Hypertensives, diabetics, smokers and anyone living with a cardiovascular risk profile. For them, says the cardiologist, watching the match should at least be managed with awareness: “In theory it would be better not to watch it, but we all know that is impossible. So the advice is: let yourself go, but with moderation. Those who are healthy can shout, but those at risk can celebrate with caution, perhaps in a low voice like Fantozzi did”. And to those who ask him for a prediction or a final comment, the doctor-fan limits himself to a smile and a “I won’t say anything else, to avoid superstition.”